Average
#6216 of 9,533 schools in CA
La Quinta Middle
Middle School · Desert Sands Unified
78-900 Avenue 50, La Quinta, CA 92253
Enrollment
688
Student-Teacher
22.9:1
Score
5.7
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
688
Student-Teacher
22.9:1
Score
5.7
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In La Quinta
#3 of 7
public schools
California middle schools
#910 of 1,349
In district
#10 of 33
Desert Sands Unified
About La Quinta Middle
La Quinta Middle, located in the heart of La Quinta, California, is a regular public middle school serving students from sixth to eighth grade. With an enrollment of 688 students and a student-to-teacher ratio of 22.9:1, the school aims to provide individualized attention within its large suburban setting. The faculty consists of 30 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to supporting the academic and social growth of each student.
According to MySchoolScout’s rating system, La Quinta Middle has a score of 4.0 out of 10, placing it in the 27th percentile among California schools. Students are performing at around 34% proficiency in English Language Arts (ELA) and reading, with mathematics proficiency slightly lower at 22%. While these scores indicate room for improvement, the school is committed to focusing on student development through various programs and support systems.
La Quinta Middle stands as a cornerstone of its community, offering a supportive environment where students can grow both academically and personally.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at La Quinta Middle is 22.9:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
La Quinta Middle — Students at La Quinta Middle score 27% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 27%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
84.4%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 12 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 5.5/10.
How La Quinta Middle Compares
See how La Quinta Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 28% (2019) to 20.26% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 40% (2019) to 34.2% (2024).
Location
78-900 Avenue 50, La Quinta, CA 92253
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering La Quinta Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. John Glenn Middle School of International Studies (rated 5.4/10, 2.4 miles away, in nearby Indio), with a very similar rating. Another option is Indio Middle (rated 4.0/10, 3.2 miles away, in nearby Indio), a more accessible option. Additionally, Colonel Mitchell Paige Middle (rated 3.9/10, 3.2 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in La Quinta, see our La Quinta schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.4 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Harry S. Truman Elementary La Quinta | 0.1 mi | 4.2 |
| LA QUINTA CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP La Quinta | 0.7 mi | — |
| La Quinta Christian Fellowship School La Quinta | 0.8 mi | — |
| Benjamin Franklin Elementary La Quinta | 1.3 mi | 5.3 |
| La Quinta High La Quinta | 1.8 mi | 7.6 |
| Amelia Earhart Elementary School of International Studies Indio | 2.3 mi | 3.8 |
| John Glenn Middle School of International Studies Indio | 2.4 mi | 5.4 |
| Mountain Vista Elementary Indio | 2.3 mi | 7.5 |
| James Madison Elementary Indio | 2.6 mi | 4.3 |
| Gerald R. Ford Elementary Indian Wells | 3.1 mi | 7.3 |
| Colonel Mitchell Paige Middle La Quinta | 3.2 mi | 3.9 |
| Horizon La Quinta | 3.2 mi | 3.8 |
| Summit High (Continuation) La Quinta | 3.2 mi | 5.9 |
| Indio Middle Indio | 3.2 mi | 4.0 |
| Brilliant Microschool Indio | 3.4 mi | — |
| TOT STOP PRESCHOOL Palm Desert | 3.6 mi | — |
| Palm Desert Learning Tree Center Palm Desert | 3.7 mi | — |
| PALM DESERT LEARNING TREE CENTER Palm Desert | 3.7 mi | 5.4 |
| Indio High Indio | 3.3 mi | 5.2 |
| John F. Kennedy Elementary Indio | 3.4 mi | 3.1 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 92253 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$97,397
Median Home Value
$612,800
Median Rent
$1,741/mo
Population
38,281
College Educated
38.9%
Homeownership
74.8%
Avg Commute
26.3 min
Poverty Rate
9.1%
Median Age
52.1
Community Profile
The community surrounding La Quinta Middle has a median household income of $97,397. It is an area where 39% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $612,800, with a median rent of $1,741/month. The local poverty rate of 9.1% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 26 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Alvarado Intermediate Rowland Heights, CA | 5.7 |
| Bell Middle San Diego, CA | 5.7 |
| Cajon Valley Middle El Cajon, CA | 5.7 |
| Chaparral Middle Moorpark, CA | 5.7 |
| Charlotte Wood Middle Danville, CA | 5.7 |
| Cucamonga Middle Rancho Cucamonga, CA | 5.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about La Quinta Middle
What grades does La Quinta Middle serve?
La Quinta Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend La Quinta Middle?
La Quinta Middle has an enrollment of approximately 688 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at La Quinta Middle?
The student-teacher ratio at La Quinta Middle is 22.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does La Quinta Middle rank in CA?
La Quinta Middle is ranked #6216 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is La Quinta Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
La Quinta Middle has a composite rating of 5.7 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at La Quinta Middle?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, La Quinta Middle has 22.5% math proficiency and 33.6% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is La Quinta Middle a charter school?
No, La Quinta Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is La Quinta Middle a Title I school?
No, La Quinta Middle is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for La Quinta Middle?
84.4% of students at La Quinta Middle qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (2,130/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (La Quinta). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 688
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 22.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 30
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 84.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Riverside County
- Phone
- (760) 777-4220
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Desert Sands Unified- District Enrollment
- 25,898
- Schools in District
- 35
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $17,070
- District Rank
- #10 of 33
Other Schools in This District
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
Read our full methodologyRelated reading
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